[RioRico]

In about a week I'll leave my Sierra Nevada mountain aerie for a several-month relocation to our winter home, a historic adobe in gloriously photogenic and quaint Bisbee on the Arizona-Sonora border, with a possibility of another extended drive across Mexico. [BTW the adobe is for sale.] And I must select a not-too-huge kit to haul along. In the unlikely event that anyone is interested, here is the list I'm working on. Note that I'm trying to include lots of German and Russian glass [in italics]. I'm trying to keep it under 30-35 lenses, not counting the minikit.

Ultralight minikit: Enna Tele-Sandmar 100/4.5; CZJ Tessar 50/2.8 (12 iris blades); Meyer Helioplan 40/4.5 (12 blades); Loreo 35/11 shift; and a 130g Vivitar 28/2.8 if it arrives in time. (It should, John!) If I put a thicker adapter on the Tessar & Helioplan, they become close-focus for essentially zero extra weight.

Mandatory zooms: DA10-17, Tamron 10-24, DA18-250, Schneider Betavaron 50-125
Questionable zooms: DA18-55, Tamron 28-70, F35-70, Tokina 55/135; FA100-300
Reluctant superzoom: Lil'Bigma 170-500 (if I don't take it it won't get used, eh?)

If you wonder about the 18-55, it's because it can host a cheap 180-fisheye screw-in that performs better than a Kenko 180-fisheye sitting atop the old Tamron 28-70. The other questionable zooms are great but pretty redundant.

Fabulous Fifties: K50/1.2; FA50/1.4; Mac-Tak 50/4(1x); Tomioka 55/1.4; Petri 55/1.8
Terrible 28s: Komine 28/2 CFWA; Kiron 28/2.5; Tamron 28/2.5; M28/2.8; Toyo 28/2.8
Some 35s: Nikkor-O 35/2; Isco Westron 35/2.8; Super-Tak 35/3.5; Meyer Primagon 35/4.5
And 135s: SMC-Tak or Tak-B 135/2.5; Ricoh 135/2.8; M135/3.5; Jupiter-11 135/4

So many Fifties! But I must whittle them down a bit. Why the Toyo 28? It's my only A-type 28, just as the Ricoh 135 is my only A-type 135. Why the Takumar Bayonet 135/2.5? Because although the SMC-Tak 135/2.5 is 'better', the T-B is more usable.

Misc favorites (wide): Zenitar 16/2.8; Tokina 21/3.8; Kiron 24/2; Cimko 24/2.8
Misc faves (moderate): Nikkor 85/2; Jupiter-9 85/2; Vivitar-Komine 90/2.8 macro (1x); Meyer Trioplan 100/2.8; Super-Tak 105/2.8; Isco Westar 105/4.5
Misc faves (longer): Enna Telemegor 180/5.5 and 240/4.5; Jupiter-21 200/4; Tele-Tak 200/5.6; Chinon (or Cosina?) Alpa 300/5.6; Sakar 500/8 mirror

More to consider: Mir-1 37/2.8; Yashica ML50/1.4 and DX 50/1.7; M50/1.7; Meyer Oreston 50/1.8; Chinon 55-1.7; Komine 200/3.5. No, that's too many Fifties, and the others aren't distinctive enough (except maybe the Komine 200).

Then there are the enlarger-projector-copy-etc lenses, with extensions. I'll take some M42 tubes, a small Bellowscope 45-110mm bellows, a no-name 17-35mm M42 focusing helicoid, and various mount adapters. Some of the little ELs to sit atop that stuff should include:

Non-camera lenses: EL-Nikkor 50/2.8; Kodak Anastigmat 65/3.5; Vivitar-LU 75/3.5; Apos Colorstigmat 90/4.5; Novoflex Noflexar 105/3.5; TDC VIVID Anastigmat 127/3.5

Contrary to popular opinion, I ain't totally nutz. If we do the drive to Chiapas or Guatemala, the load would be much lighter: the minikit, the mandatory zooms, a very few select primes, and a pared-down EL set. The rest will be left in safekeeping stateside. No, that's just too much stuff to schlep into posadas every night. Bad enough that we usually carry in our own fans and pillows.

Oh, I didn't mention the tripod and filters and flash and chargers and P&S's and sundry other necessities. Also, the list above includes many favorites, maybe too many. Maybe I need to use more non-favorites, to exercise the rest of my lens accumulation. Choices, choices...

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Last edited by RioRico; 01-10-2012 at 12:11 AM.

[Dean31]

Thanks for sharing Rico! (I got nothin for ya)

[jatrax]

You are my hero.................

[Spenz]

You show great restraint. I would take everything I own (which is about 10% of what you listed).

[wolfiegirl]

oh i feel for you rico! it has been kindly "suggested" to me that I only bring 3 lenses for my 2 camera bodies on my 3 week trip to Europe in March. I am falling asleep each night trying to justify what lenses to take.

I can't imagine the nightmares you have each night trying to choose!

I got nothing for you either, but it looks like you're starting to narrow it down already?

[TOUGEFC]

Way to many bud, you will spend more time trying to decide which lens to use than you will taking pictures, keep going and narrow it down to 10 MAX.

[RioRico]

You show great restraint. I would take everything I own (which is about 10% of what you listed).

If we sell the adobe house we may get a housecar. I'll make sure it has room for more lenses and gear.

Way to many bud, you will spend more time trying to decide which lens to use than you will taking pictures, keep going and narrow it down to 10 MAX.

I can't imagine the nightmares you have each night trying to choose!

No, just 10 lenses wouldn't be nearly enough. Choosing for the duration is a balancing act, and I may switch-around some Fifties and favorites etc. Choosing for any day is simple: pick a LOTD (lens of the day) and a backup. Or select a theme: only Fifties, only Russians, only ELs, etc. !No hay problemo!

I got nothing for you either, but it looks like you're starting to narrow it down already?

Yeah, I'll use the list here as a scratch-pad, and scratch off the left-behinds until only a lucky few (dozen) remain. Like SURVIVOR but without the cleavage.

[wolfiegirl]

Yeah, I'll use the list here as a scratch-pad, and scratch off the left-behinds until only a lucky few (dozen) remain. Like SURVIVOR but without the cleavage.

Well when you put it like *that* Rico...

[hoanpham]

Maybe I need to use more non-favorites, to exercise the rest of my lens accumulation.

You should bring at least a few non fav or those least used, like some with bad bokeh, sharp enough, good enough, but don't bring dead weight.

I had 15 lenses last summer vacation:
AF: Sigma 8-16, DA55-300, FA50/1.4, Tamron90/2.8, FA85/1.4, Tamron28-75/2.8
MF: K200/2.5, M300/4, Ensinor24/2.8, K24/2.8, K55/2, Vivitar 28/2.8 sms cf, vivitar 28/2.8 cf (KA), M150/3.5, M135/3.5
3 different TCs, 4 flashes, tripod ++
I forgot: I had MF zooms too: A24-50/4, M75-150/4

[wolfiegirl]

You should bring at least a few non fav or those least used, like some with bad bokeh, sharp enough, good enough, but don't bring dead weight.

I had 15 lenses last summer vacation:
AF: Sigma 8-16, DA55-300, FA50/1.4, Tamron90/2.8, FA85/1.4, Tamron28-75/2.8
MF: K200/2.5, M300/4, Ensinor24/2.8, K24/2.8, K55/2, Vivitar 28/2.8 sms cf, vivitar 28/2.8 cf (KA), M150/3.5, M135/3.5
3 different TCs, 4 flashes, tripod ++
I forgot: I had MF zooms too: A24-50/4, M75-150/4

And here's the killer question hoanpham - did you end up using all of them??? did they all get equal time, or did you take each one out at one stage, take one pic and nod to yourself, "see? I used you!"

[hoanpham]

And here's the killer question hoanpham - did you end up using all of them??? did they all get equal time, or did you take each one out at one stage, take one pic and nod to yourself, "see? I used you!"

Sigma8-16 used in Toronto, night scenes and at Niagara town center - very nice.
DA55-300: in the zoo/Marine Land
FA50/1.4: street shoting, night walk
Tamron90/2.8 macro: indoor portraits, library, cafes, zoo/butterflies
Tamron28-75/2.8: walk around lens
FA85/1.4: super low light indoor portraits, Ontario art museum, Ontario botanical garden, wow wow wow portrait lens.

K200/2.5: nature, landscape, walking lens with kids
M300/4 with/without TC2x: birds, walking lens with kids - sharp wide open, razor sharp one click down.
Ensinor24/2.8: indoor, play hall, with close focus, 1/2 portraits, super sharp wide open.
K24/2.8: outdoor landscape. Not sure how Ensinor performs, so this is the backup.
K55/2: portrait 1/2 - full body length, just blurred enough background.
Vivitars: portraits, 1/2 body length, almost macro distance. Very sharp wide open, one is super sharp.
M150/3.5: walking lens with kids.
M135/3.5: walking lens with kids, head shots.

A24-50: used at 24 and 35mm, both outdoor and indoor iso 3200 on K5
M75-150 was the least used. Tamron90macro is lighter. Also my first time using the tamron.

When going out: I had one lens pr day, max 2 lenses.
The photos are in my picasa ;-)

[wolfiegirl]

ok, ok, you win!

now if only i could justify all my lenses like that.. *snarf*

[RioRico]

I took about 30 lenses on my last long jaunt, both favorites and ringers, and yes, I used them all, but not equally. (Bought a few too. That S-M-C Tak 135/2.5 for US$ 50? Sweet...) And some days I used only Fifties.

Yes, I'm thinking I should favor some non-faves, like the modded OM- and C/Y-mount glass I don't much use, and more obscure M42s. The Accura Diamatic 28/2.8. The Porst Weitwinkel 35/2.8 and Color Reflex 55/2.8. The Zuiko 50/1.8 and 135/3.5. The Yashica DSB 50/1.9. Et cetera. Not exactly LUZERS ON PARADE, just a different mix. Hmmm, guess I'd better work on that list a bit. [/me picks up hammer and chisel]

[hoanpham]

I even had 2 bodies: K20 and K5+grip.

My kids love macros, bugs, birdy and tele photos

[wolfiegirl]

I took about 30 lenses on my last long jaunt, both favorites and ringers, and yes, I used them all, but not equally. (Bought a few too. That S-M-C Tak 135/2.5 for US$ 50? Sweet...)

Yes, I'm thinking I should favor some non-faves, like the modded OM- and C/Y-mount glass I don't much use, and more obscure M42s. The Accura Diamatic 28/2.8. The Porst-Tokina 35/2.8. The Zuiko 50/1.8 and 135/3.5. The Yashica DSB 50/1.9. The Porst Color Reflex 55/2.8. Et cetera. Not exactly LUZERS ON PARADE, just a different mix. Hmmm, guess I'd better work on that list a bit. [/me picks up hammer and chisel]

careful Rico... it sounds like you're ADDING lenses to the list now, not culling